Church celebrates 50 years

Church's 50th anniversary

Maydean Brown, of Copperas Cove Christian Church, reads a Bible story to children at the 50th anniversary of the church Sunday. David Brown, right, Maydean’s husband, the last of the 13 original charter members of the Copperas Cove Christian Church, and the Rev. Frank Someta Jr., who has ministered at the church since 2001, listen.

Church's 50th anniversary

John Cleasby, left, sits with his friend Jeremiah Fink, son of Gene and Rose Fink, who traveled from Wisconsin to partake in the 50th anniversary of Copperas Cove Christian Church on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014.

A local resident celebrated a milestone Sunday in the church her mother and 12 charter members founded in Copperas Cove in 1964.

Maydean Brown, also a charter member, and other members of Copperas Cove Christian Church-Disciples of Christ worshipped together Sunday exactly 50 years to the date after the first church service was held in Mabel Harrison’s home on Terrace Drive.

“She wanted a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Copperas Cove because there was none,” Brown said. “Her vision was to have a Christian church in Cove and to have it grow.”

The church did grow to what is now a nearly 100-member congregation. By 1965, church services were held in the office of the Copperas Cove Courier, but later moved to Cove TV and Appliance.

In 1974, Copperas Cove Christian Church broke ground on its location on Morrow Drive, where it continues to stand nestled on a hill overlooking Copperas Cove High School and the community below.

Former members Gene and Rose Fink traveled 19 hours from Red Granite, Wis., to attend the anniversary service. Sunday was the first time they had returned since leaving the area in 1972. Although the military took them away, the Finks said their hearts were tied to their friends at the church.

“This was like home for us. We had gone to other churches and when we came here they made us feel like family,” said Rose Fink, who said Brown and her husband, David, continued to keep up with them. “They were always in contact (with) Christmas cards and letters. (Maydean) was my first friend down here.”

Dr. Frank Somera Jr. has been a residing reverend for the church since 2001. He said the congregation’s numbers have fluctuated over the years due to the military affiliation of many members, but those numbers are currently on the uptick.

“The thing I really appreciate most is that the membership is committed and dedicated to the church,” Somera said.